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E46 (1999 - 2006) The fourth generation 3 Series (E46 chassis) was introduced in 1999 and set the standard for engineering and performance during it's years of production including being named to Car & Driver's 10 best list every one of those years! ! -- View the E46 Wiki

hey ever1 i think i messed up my 2003 bmw 325I. I put the orange extended antifrezze into my car and now it started puttering and lost power. I got towed and it started fine and drove what is going on and what should i do next.

Drain the antifreeze and put the right stuff in. I doubt it did any damage yet. It didn't have anything to do with the car not starting. That's a different problem and you didn't give enough information to make a diagnosis.

Drain the antifreeze and put the right stuff in. I doubt it did any damage yet. It didn't have anything to do with the car not starting. That's a different problem and you didn't give enough information to make a diagnosis.

Yeah I seriously doubt that these two are related. Granted that is not the proper coolant, but it really shouldn't have any short term effects like you are experiencing.

The coolant in no way has ANYTHING (I REPEAT, ANYTHING) to do with your issue. BMW Coolant is not magical and nobody has ever shown me solid proof that it is any better than Prestone, Peake, or equivalent.

The coolant in no way has ANYTHING (I REPEAT, ANYTHING) to do with your issue. BMW Coolant is not magical and nobody has ever shown me solid proof that it is any better than Prestone, Peake, or equivalent.

hey ever1 i think i messed up my 2003 bmw 325I. I put the orange extended antifrezze into my car and now it started puttering and lost power. I got towed and it started fine and drove what is going on and what should i do next.

WTF did you do, put it in *the gas tank* ?

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The coolant in no way has ANYTHING (I REPEAT, ANYTHING) to do with your issue. BMW Coolant is not magical and nobody has ever shown me solid proof that it is any better than Prestone, Peake, or equivalent.

We then looked at all the commonly available coolants, we covered the chemicals in the various brands, and the we we even analyzed the tap water used to mix with the coolants. (We do this for all fliuds, by the way).

There are always religious camps (e.g., 'buy only BMW' versus "buy by BMW specifications") but here is our tribal knowledge summary for the E39 (should be similar for your E46):

- Engine coolant: phosphate free (for Europe's high-mineral-content water), amine & nitrite/nitrate free (for USA long-life requirements), & low-silicate or silicate free (for Japan requirements) 50:50 mixture of ethylene glycol & water (the Bentleys say distilled water (Bentley 020-11), aka de-mineralized or de-ionized water, some call it purified water, and the BMW AG TIS 12.11.2007 18:56 specifies water with a pH from 6.5 to 8.0, maximum total hardness of 3.6 mmol Ca++/liter, maximum chloride content 100 mg/liter, and maximum sulphate content 100mg/liter; interestingly the BMW TIS says "potable tap water usually fulfills these requirements". EPA reports show San Jose & NYC tap water easily fulfill these requirements. The BMW TIS expressly states additives are not helpful and are not recommended. BMW lists a score of recommended coolants in their BMW AG TIS 12.11.2007 18:55 which meet the BMW N 600 69.0 standard, some of which are BMW PN:81.22.9.407.454 1.5-liter; BMW PN:88.88.6.900.316 1 gallon; Castrol Anti-Freeze NF; BASF Glysantin Protect Plus G48, & Havoline AFC (BD04); but most of which are not easily found in the USA. Many Bimmerfesters recommend BMW coolant; however other Bimmerfesters recommend Prestone Extended Life 5/150, Valvoline Zerex G-05, and Service Pro Universal Formula. Others recommend Evans NPG+ but be aware this fluid entails a different formulation & philosophy than the fluids listed above and is not compatible with them. [Total Volume: 1997 I6=10.5 quarts (2.6 gallons), 1997 V8=12.0 quarts (3.0 gallons), 1998-2002 I6=11.1 quarts (2.8 gallons), 1998-2002 V8=12.7 quarts (3.2 gallons), 1997-2002 V8 with latent heater=13.5 quarts (3.4 gallons)]. Prestone says the only reason for phosphate free is the extremely high mineral content of water in Europe - and that in the USA, it's not needed. Replacement Interval: Every three years (Bentley page 020-9) or every four years (aforementioned BMW AG TIS) starting from date of manufacture (except for M-Power vehicles which have 3-year intervals). Note: Mixing BMW-recommended coolant brands is permissible; but mixing types is not permissible unless it's an emergency.